Kerala colleges can now add courses and seats without govt nod, NOC only once in 3 years
By TUF News Desk · Published 9 November 2026 · 3 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Autonomous colleges in Kerala can now start a new self-financing course or add seats to an existing one without waiting for the state government’s permission. The higher education department issued a circular on November 6 that drops the prior no-objection certificate (NOC) for self-financing autonomous colleges and for the self-financing streams of aided autonomous colleges. The colleges only have to inform the government in advance.
The circular, numbered E2/184/2026-HEDN and issued by the department’s additional secretary, is listed on the higher education department’s circulars page. It also stretches NOC renewal from every year to once in three years. A college will pay Rs 650 per course as a challan charge and Rs 810 for an affidavit, covering the three-year period.
What changes on campus
Under the new rules, a self-financing autonomous college can introduce a course or raise its intake after informing the government, instead of waiting for a government NOC first. When seats in an existing self-financing course need to go up, the affiliated university or the regulatory authority can take that decision without a separate government approval.
Government and aided colleges still need government approval to start a new course or permanently raise seats in the aided stream, though they no longer have to renew that approval. Unaided colleges without autonomous status still need an NOC for every new course they want to start.
Why the government did it
Higher Education Minister Roji M John said the change is about academic autonomy. Getting an NOC from the university and the government for every new self-financing course took a long time, he said, and the yearly renewal gave more chances for corruption. He pointed out that this kind of NOC requirement for autonomous colleges exists only in Kerala, and that in most other states such colleges do not need a government NOC to start a course.
The minister also pointed to the University Grants Commission’s guidelines, which he said state that an autonomous college does not need permission from the government or the university to start a new course.
The November 6 circular reverses a circular dated September 11, which had made prior government approval mandatory for new courses and seat increases in government, aided and autonomous colleges.
The row over the decision
The decision has drawn a sharp response from the opposition. Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan said the relaxation opens the higher education sector to commercialisation and asked the government to withdraw it. The minister rejected that charge, saying the circular is aimed at academic autonomy.
For students, the practical effect is speed. A college that spots demand for a new course can move once its university agrees, instead of waiting through long administrative delays. Our guide to choosing a university in India explains what to check beyond the course list when comparing colleges, including approvals, fees and placement records.
After admissions close, each college must report the new courses and seat increases to the government. That reporting requirement stays in place under the new rules.
Frequently asked questions
Do Kerala autonomous colleges still need government permission to start a new course?
Not for self-financing courses. Autonomous colleges can start them after informing the government in advance. Government approval is still needed for new courses and permanent seat increases in the aided stream.
How often must self-financing colleges renew their NOC now?
Once every three years, instead of every year. The renewal costs Rs 650 per course as a challan charge and Rs 810 for an affidavit.
Who decides on increasing seats in a self-financing course?
The affiliated university or the regulatory authority can decide, without a separate government approval.
Why is the decision controversial?
The opposition says it opens higher education to commercialisation and wants the circular withdrawn. The government says it promotes academic autonomy and cuts delays and corruption.
Frequently asked questions
Do Kerala autonomous colleges still need government permission to start a new course?
Not for self-financing courses. Autonomous colleges can start them after informing the government in advance. Government approval is still needed for new courses and permanent seat increases in the aided stream.
How often must self-financing colleges renew their NOC now?
Once every three years, instead of every year. The renewal costs Rs 650 per course as a challan charge and Rs 810 for an affidavit.
Who decides on increasing seats in a self-financing course?
The affiliated university or the regulatory authority can decide, without a separate government approval.
Why is the decision controversial?
The opposition says it opens higher education to commercialisation and wants the circular withdrawn. The government says it promotes academic autonomy and cuts delays and corruption.
Sources: The Times of India, The New Indian Express, Deccan Herald